Review: Marvel Cosmic Invasion

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Local co-op games have become increasingly popular recently, and a lot of that is due to the success of studios like Hazelight, the creators of games like It Takes Two and Split Fiction.

Local co-op gaming has been around for decades, though it’s become less common with the rise of online multiplayer. For a long time, especially in the 2000s, both local and online play were popular. Even as Xbox Live grew in popularity, many of us still enjoyed playing games like Gears of War, Castle Crashers, and Rock Band together on the same couch.

Looking back, I think my love for co-op games is probably a result of how I grew up. I spent a ton of time playing with friends, not just at home on consoles like the Genesis and Super Nintendo, but also at the local arcade. Seriously, I blew through so many quarters on games like The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sunset Riders, and X-Men – good times!

Barcades have become popular because they let people enjoy classic arcade games, which I still love. However, many of these old beat ’em ups were built to quickly use up your money, and that hasn’t really changed, even today.

Tribute Games truly captured the spirit of classic arcade games with their 2022 release, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. It’s a fantastic game from beginning to end, perfectly blending that nostalgic feel with modern gameplay, and it’s just as fun playing solo as it is with friends on the couch.

Three years after their last game, they’ve released Marvel Cosmic Invasion. It’s a fantastic sequel to the 1992 X-Men arcade game, and in most ways, it’s even better than Shredder’s Revenge.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion

If you’ve enjoyed games like Shredder’s Revenge, the X-Men arcade game, or any classic beat ’em up, you’ll quickly feel comfortable playing Marvel Cosmic Invasion.

Similar to Shredder’s Revenge, Cosmic Invasion lets you pick different Marvel heroes for each stage in its story mode. It also includes a traditional arcade mode where the game ends when you lose all your lives. However, a key difference is that you control two heroes at a time.

As a huge fan of classic arcade beat ’em ups, this game doesn’t just live up to the legacy of the original 1992 X-Men arcade game – it actually surpasses it! And honestly, I think it’s a better game than even Shredder’s Revenge in almost every way.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion offers a more complex gameplay experience than Shredder’s Revenge, and one way it does this is by letting you switch between two heroes whenever you want. You can even have a hero jump in to help during fights. This is helpful because, even though they share similar basic moves, each hero plays in a unique way.

Like in most games, every character has the standard stuff – basic attacks, a special move, a way to dodge, you know the drill. But what really makes each hero unique is how they play. Take Black Panther and Spider-Man, for example. They’re super fast and mobile, letting you pull off awesome combos and hit people with ranged attacks. Then you’ve got She-Hulk, who’s a bit slower and more about powerful, impactful hits. She can also grab opponents and just yeet them across the arena, which is pretty cool!

Double The Pleasure, Double The Fun

This creates some really fun and effective hero combinations as you play. You’ll find pairings that make sense thematically, but the real strength comes from combining different playstyles – like a close-combat fighter with a quick, long-range attacker – to handle any challenge the game throws your way.

It’s good to remember that in Arcade mode, you’re stuck with your hero choices for the entire game. But in campaign mode, you can switch heroes before each mission. This is helpful because it lets you pick the best hero for the challenges ahead and also allows you to complete specific mission objectives that require different heroes.

These accomplishments aren’t just about racking up points. When you finish a challenge, you unlock pieces of the Cosmic Matrix, giving you access to fun extras like arcade-style gameplay changes, new hero colors, hidden secrets, and other cool content.

Plus, you can improve each hero to make them even more powerful! Leveling up boosts their stats, unlocks new costume colors, and upgrades their special abilities, helping you become incredibly strong.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion offers a lot of gameplay and is surprisingly deep, making it a game you’ll want to play again and again.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion’s Presentation Is A Standout

Cosmic Invasion is so engaging from the start that you’ll likely want to play it repeatedly without needing any guidance.

Shredder’s Revenge was a fantastic tribute to classic arcade beat ’em ups and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now, with Cosmic Invasion, the developers at Tribute Games have truly outdone themselves. Beyond the unlockable content and hidden surprises, the game looks absolutely beautiful – it’s a real work of art.

The game’s cutscenes still look like comic book panels, though the characters don’t have full voice acting. The heroes do speak during scenes and often exchange playful comments, either with each other or while you’re playing. It’s a small detail, but it’s a nice way to show appreciation for the original story that Cosmic Invasion is based on.

While the game attempts a story, it doesn’t quite come together. It mostly just provides a reason to fight enemies. The voice acting is also inconsistent – some characters sound great, while others don’t quite hit the mark.

I can overlook these flaws, especially because the game looks amazing. The art style is stunning, with beautifully designed superheroes and levels that are often breathtaking. It’s also a great way for Tribute Games to show off their skills with the Marvel universe, offering a wide variety of heroes and environments. I always discover something new each time I replay a level.

Better With Friends

I’m having a blast playing Marvel Cosmic Invasion solo, especially since I can control two heroes at once! But honestly, it’s way more fun with friends. It just feels better when you’re teaming up to take on the baddies.

Cosmic Invasion is a game for up to four players who can team up either in person or online. Adding more players makes the game more exciting, but it remains manageable. It’s a fantastic opportunity to create powerful combos and inflict a lot of damage together.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion offers a lot of gameplay and is surprisingly deep, making it a game you’ll want to play again and again.

Online gameplay is generally smooth, but I did encounter one complete crash and a few instances where the frame rate slowed down, which didn’t happen when I played the game on my own.

Even if my friends and I can’t play together in person, it doesn’t stop me from enjoying online games, though it’s definitely something we need to keep in mind.

Closing Comments:

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a really enjoyable beat ’em up that captures the spirit of classic arcade games like X-Men. It’s a loving tribute to both Marvel comics and the genre, and it’s fun to play solo or with friends. Beyond the exciting action, you’ll enjoy discovering different heroes and finding the team that best suits your play style. With so many co-op games available, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is definitely worth checking out, whether you’re planning a weekend gaming session or want a game you can return to again and again.

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2025-12-01 19:12